There's nothing more frustrating than taking a confident swing only to watch your club dig into the turf before the golf ball.
The result? A chunky shot that travels half the expected distance, leaves a massive divot, and ruins what could have been a great round.
If you're wondering how to stop hitting fat golf shots, you're not alone. Every golfer—from beginners to low handicappers—hits heavy shots occasionally. The good news is that fat shots are usually caused by a few common mistakes that can be fixed with the right practice.
In this guide, we'll cover:
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What causes fat golf shots
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The most common swing mistakes
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Simple drills that create crisp contact
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The best golf training aids to stop chunking the ball
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How to practice correctly
Let's get started.
What Is a Fat Golf Shot?
A fat golf shot (also called a chunked or heavy shot) happens when your club strikes the ground before making contact with the golf ball.
Instead of compressing the ball cleanly, the club loses speed in the turf, causing:
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Poor distance
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Weak ball flight
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Inconsistent contact
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Large divots behind the ball
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Loss of confidence
The goal is simple:
Ball first. Turf second.
The best ball strikers always take a divot after the golf ball—not before.
Why You Keep Hitting the Ball Fat
There isn't one single cause.
Usually it's a combination of several swing flaws.
1. Your Weight Stays on Your Back Foot
This is the #1 cause of fat shots.
Many golfers try to "lift" the ball into the air.
Instead of moving toward the target during the downswing, they hang back.
When your weight stays on your trail foot:
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The bottom of the swing arc moves behind the ball
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The club digs into the ground
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You hit the turf first
Fix
At impact, roughly 70–80% of your weight should be on your lead foot. Trust the loft of the club to launch the ball rather than trying to help it up.
2. Poor Ball Position
Ball position controls where the club meets the ground.
If the ball sits too far forward, you'll often hit behind it.
General guide:
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Wedges: Center
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Short irons: Slightly forward of center
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Mid irons: One ball forward
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Long irons: Two balls forward
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Driver: Inside front heel
An easy way to build consistency is using Golf Alignment Stick Clips to create repeatable ball position during every practice session.
👉 Golf Alignment Stick Clips (3-Pack)
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3. Swaying Instead of Rotating
Many golfers slide sideways instead of turning.
This moves the swing's low point all over the place.
Instead:
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Rotate around your spine.
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Keep your head relatively centered.
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Shift pressure forward without excessive lateral movement.
4. Standing Too Close to the Ball
If you're crowded:
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Your arms can't extend naturally.
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The club bottoms out too early.
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Fat shots become common.
Stand athletic with enough room for your arms to hang naturally.
5. Losing Your Posture
Standing up...
Or dipping down...
Both change where the club reaches the ground.
Good golfers maintain their posture from setup through impact.
The Fastest Way to Stop Hitting Fat Golf Shots
One word:
Practice.
But not random practice.
Purposeful practice.
That's where training aids become incredibly valuable.
Training Aid #1: Improve Swing Mechanics
One of the biggest reasons golfers hit fat shots is poor wrist and arm structure.
A great tool for fixing this is the Golf Swing Training Aid Set (Wrist Trainer + Arm Band).
It helps you:
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Maintain proper wrist angles
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Improve swing path
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Reduce casting
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Build consistent contact
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Improve compression
Check it out here:
Training Aid #2: Improve Posture and Connection
When your arms separate from your body, your swing arc changes.
That often leads to chunked shots.
The Swing Smart Ball Training Aid teaches:
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Better posture
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Arm connection
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Proper shoulder turn
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Consistent swing radius
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Better impact position
It's one of the best practice tools for golfers struggling with heavy contact.
Training Aid #3: Alignment Sticks
Professional golfers use alignment sticks almost every practice session.
Why?
Because they improve:
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Ball position
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Swing path
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Setup
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Shoulder alignment
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Weight shift
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Low-point control
The 48" Collapsible Golf Alignment Sticks are perfect for range sessions or backyard practice.
5 Drills to Stop Hitting Fat Shots
1. Tee Behind the Ball Drill
Place a tee about 3 inches behind your golf ball.
Your goal:
Miss the tee.
If you hit it, you're striking the ground too early.
This simple drill trains better low-point control.
2. Divot Drill
On the practice range:
Draw a straight line.
Place the ball directly on the line.
Your divot should start after the line—not before it.
3. Feet Together Drill
Hit short shots with your feet together.
This teaches:
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Better balance
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Rotation
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Proper sequencing
4. Forward Weight Drill
Set up with:
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60% weight on your lead foot.
Keep it there throughout the swing.
Many golfers instantly stop chunking the ball with this simple adjustment.
5. Alignment Stick Station
Use alignment sticks to create:
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Ball position reference
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Swing path guide
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Target line
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Foot alignment
The more consistent your setup becomes, the more consistent your strike becomes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid trying to:
❌ Scoop the ball
❌ Lift the ball
❌ Swing harder
❌ Stand up through impact
❌ Keep weight on your trail foot
Instead:
✅ Rotate
✅ Shift pressure forward
✅ Let the club's loft launch the ball
✅ Finish balanced
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I keep hitting behind the golf ball?
Usually because your swing reaches its lowest point before the ball. Poor weight transfer, incorrect ball position, or swaying during the swing are common causes.
How do I stop chunking my irons?
Focus on:
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Forward weight shift
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Correct posture
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Proper ball position
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Maintaining your swing radius
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Practicing low-point control
Why do fat shots happen more with wedges?
Many golfers try to "help" wedge shots into the air.
Instead:
Trust the loft.
Hit down.
Let the club do the work.
Can beginners eliminate fat shots?
Absolutely.
Most beginners improve dramatically by practicing with alignment sticks, swing trainers, and structured drills that reinforce proper mechanics.
Final Thoughts
Every golfer hits a fat shot from time to time.
The difference is that skilled golfers understand why it happened and know how to fix it.
Remember these keys:
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Keep your weight moving toward the target.
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Rotate instead of swaying.
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Maintain your posture.
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Practice consistent ball position.
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Train with purpose using proven golf training aids.
With regular practice and the right equipment, you'll start making cleaner contact, taking divots after the ball, and seeing more consistent distance and accuracy.
At The Caddie Society, we're dedicated to helping golfers play better through carefully selected training aids that make practice more effective. Whether you're working on eliminating fat shots or improving every part of your game, the right tools can help you build lasting confidence and consistency.
Happy golfing—and here's to more pure strikes and lower scores!